Evaluation of Hormonal and Autoimmunity Serological Markers in Iraqi Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) antibodies are well-established markers of autoimmunity, which are used in clinical practice in the diagnosis of autoimmunologic diseases. There is a suspected role of autoimmunologic processes and elevated levels of these antibodies in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Our study aimed to evaluate serum levels of the common autoimmune markers, antinuclear antibodies (ANA), and anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) as well as some hormones in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This prospective case control study was conducted in Karama Teaching Hospital /Baghdad/Iraq during the period from the 1st of January 2016 to the end of December 2016 on 80 women who were divided into) 2 ( groups: group) 1 ( included 40 women with PCOS according to Rotterdam Criteria (2003) (study group), and group) 2 ( included 40 healthy, fertile, age matched women (control group). Transvaginal ultrasound was performed to evaluate the ovaries and uterus. Blood samples were obtained from all included women, who were in the follicular phase (days 3�7 of spontaneous menses or progestin induced withdrawal bleeding) to determine serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and for serological tests namely ANA and anti-dsDNA. Results of this study showed a significant difference between both groups regarding BMI. In women with PCOS there was reduced gravidity and parity than the control group. In women of PCOS group (28 %) had primary infertility, (40 %) had secondary infertility and (32 %) were fertile, while (90 %) of the control group were fertile. The means of serum levels of LH, LH to FSH ratio and TSH were significantly higher in PCOS group than the control group. The mean serum level of ANA and anti-dsDNA were significantly higher in PCOS group when compared with their levels in the control group. It can be concluded that there is an association between PCOS and autoimmune markers such as ANA and anti-dsDNA which might affect the clinical management of those women.